SIXTEENTH DAY after PENTECOST

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8:30am ~ Sunday, December 17

PRELUDE ―Masters in This Hall‖

arr. Jeffrey Blersch Organ

WELCOME and RELATIONSHIPS of PEACE OPENING HYMN “Joy to the World” [LW 53, v. 1-3] OPENING LITURGY OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Micah 5:2-4 [NIV] 2 ―But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.‖ 3Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. R: This is the Word of the Lord C: Thanks be to God! HOLY GOPSEL John 1:1-13 [NIV] 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord C: Thanks be to God!

APOSTLE’S CREED SERMON HYMN “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child” [LW 57] SERMON “THE POWER TO BECOME” PEOPLE of PEACE in PRAYER Father in Heaven: •Peace, Comfort, and Healing: The family of Eleanor Damschroeder-died Monday, December 11. •Wisdom and Courage: Elected Officials and Military. THE LORD’S PRAYER The Family Prayer of the People of God WORDS of INSTITUTION THE PEACE OFFERING (Before Communing, please take time to read our statement of faith found in the pew rack in front of you; fill out and place your attendance card and offering in the basket as you come forward.)

DISTRIBUTION MUSIC ―O Come, Little Children‖

arr. Sondra Tucker Handbell Quartet

“Sing We Now of Christmas” “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” [LW 62] CLOSING HYMN “Joy to the World” [LW 53, v. 4]

CONNECT  AIM Gift Cards | Grab one from the tree – return to Church by Wednesday  Traditions | All Adults join us in Adult Faith @ 9:45am  Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols | Wednesday, December 20 @ 7:00pm  Christmas Eve Worship | 5:00, 6:30, 8:00p | No morning worship services  Sunday, December 31 | One communion worship service @ 10:00am BENEDICTION POSTLUDE ―Postlude on GLORIA‖

SERMON: John Vawar, Mosaic Missionary LITURGIST: Rev. Morgan Hamilton

arr. Jason Payne